Friday, August 5, 2016

Friday Musings - 16217

While I do not consider myself to be a great philosopher, pundit, or thinker, I will, from time to time, sit and ponder the (perhaps) imponderable. It's human nature I suppose to think about things. Then again, from what I've seen lately in the world, there are quite a few folks out there who do not think, they simply react, spout their opinions, and spread hate and discontent wherever they may be. Perhaps it's because of the upcoming election. Perhaps it has always been this way but with the 24-hour news cycle we just get more of it. I will say this, while on jury duty I didn't notice any of the nonsense filling the many forms of media we have in these modern times. Mostly because I didn't access them, I had quite enough on my plate determining the fate of a fellow human being.While the jury thing was indeed mentally exhausting, for me at any rate, it was refreshing to not listen to the news, or read about it online. I was content to focus on what was in my own personal line-of-sight and leave all the rest to others. I knew that I would have the chance to "catch up." Almost wish that I had left it well enough alone and continued to bask in my ignorance of current events.So let's get to it, shall we?I think we've reached a point where the majority of the American people no longer care who is in charge, just so long as it doesn't impact them. Or seem to impact them, which reminds me of this...

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

If you give the government enough power, they will come for you, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but they most certainly will come. Those who seek power, much like those who seek wealth, do not recognize nor understand the concept of "enough."

How much money is enough? How much power is enough?

Give them an inch and most assuredly, they will take a mile.

When I was doing my civic duty, I was very concerned with some of my fellow jurors. Though everyone of us it that room "felt" that the defendant had done "something" illegal, only seven of us obeyed the law concerning "beyond a reasonable doubt." The premise is that you don't take away someone's freedom without a damned good reason, without sufficient evidence that any reasonable person could look at and say, "Yup, he did it."

"I think he did it." Isn't enough.

"I feel he must have done it." Isn't enough.

The reason being is that we as individuals grant the State power on our behalf. We grant that power by electing others to represent us at each level of government. At the town, county, state, and national levels we have people who speak for us, who vote somewhat in accordance with the beliefs and wishes of their constituents.

Of course, it is more indirect than that, for the most part we have created political parties to which we adhere and which, to a certain extent, believe what we believe. Not exactly mind you. For my own part I am very much aware of the needs of the less fortunate. I believe that they should be provided assistance when it is needed. I also believe that there are those who will never be able to rise above their dependent state due to physical or mental impairments beyond their control. I understand, and am willing to pay for, the need to take care of those folks. Housing, food, medical care, and the like. People who cannot work cannot provide for themselves, there is no arguing that point. Kinda liberal, neh?On the other hand I believe in a strong military, strength through superior firepower resonates with me. I believe that around the world people should be terrified of harming an American citizen because they know that retribution would be swift, and deadly. Mess with the U.S.A. and expect to die. Kinda right wing, neh?I don't adhere to the Republican Party in all things, on the other hand, I don't much care for the Democratic Party at all. Neither represents me near enough for me to donate time or money to their platforms and causes.Now I've also mentioned in these spaces that I'm leaning strongly towards the Libertarian ticket of Johnson and Weld come November. I don't like their stance regarding pro-choice versus pro-life and I don't like their stance on immigration. I like some of what they stand for, I dislike the rest. I do know one thing, the Republicans have forfeited any loyalty I may have had towards them in the past. Their track record has been abysmal over the past few years. Why should I vote for Trump? He's not really a Republican and I believe he is just the latest in a series of also-rans put forth for President by the GOP.In the past two elections it's almost as if the Republicans were trying to lose. Now they have a guy who might actually pull it off, and they're not helping him. Of course, it really feels like Trump is trying to lose now. Can he say any more dumb things? Yes, bad press is better than no press but hey, he's a Presidential candidate, he's going to get press coverage either way.As to Shrillary? I despise her, always have. There is no way she would ever get my vote, ever. Now don't say that not voting for Trump is, de facto, a vote for Shrillary. It's not, a vote for someone other than those two is a vote for whoever I put down. I think it's time we break the two party system, the Ds and the Rs no longer represent the American people. They only represent the rich and the powerful. We have raised a new class of nobles who feel entitled based on birth and who they know.Honestly, I think that things are going to come to a head sooner, rather than later. I know folks who truly believe that blood must be shed. I'm sure though that like most putative revolutionaries, they want others to do the actual shedding of blood while they sit in the background and conspire. Revolutions also tend to eat their young, I've said it before, be careful what you wish for.And really, I live in Little Rhody. Conservatives in this state are as rare as a snow storm in May. Sure they happen, just not very often. So, unless I vote a straight Democratic ticket, I might as well write myself in for President. It ain't gonna count, not really. I'm awash in a sea of blue, in a blue region, surrounded by blue states.Ah well, maybe next time...Hey look! A kitten and a dog, living in harmony.

I think that you and I were cut from the same cloth politically, Sarge. Couldn't have said it better myself. I had a conversation with my brother yesterday. Here's my stance on Johnson/Weld. I may not agree with all his views. Heck, maybe a lot of his views. But of the three, in my opinion, he's the only one fit for that office. There's 3 months to go, not sure who I'm voting for, but it just may be Johnson for that reason alone.

My take precisely Bill. There's a long way to go yet. September/October may prove interesting. In a perfect world Shrillary goes to jail, Trump gets told "you're fired" and the two parties find adults to run.

Though I have reservations regarding amending the Constitution, I would like to see the 17th Amendment repealed. I would also like to see term limits for the House and the Senate. Ditto the Supremes, lifetime appointments are, in my opinion, nonsense.

We need more balance in the Federal government, and far less centralized power.

Come back when you've had your coffee, it'll be obvious then. (I hope.)

The following was in my brother in law's f/b post this morning:-These were interesting this morning. Delighting in honoring others is a beautiful idea.“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”Romans 12:10 NLT“Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”Romans 12:16 NLT

What makes Johnson/Weld worth listening to is they've actually made some proposals that are understandable.ANDTheir efforts, in theory, could bring back more local control.

My feelings about that are kinda mixed.Many of the local pols are really scary idea wise

Well, the call of the conservative radical, again. Okay, read the site, calling for a change in the constitution, again. It's, always the same group, those who want to change the balance of power. Been there, done that. But, whose agenda? Scalia, doesn't want an equal tri group. So, who would be boss? Been there, done that. That's why justice and the Pres can over rule a law. Or the law and justice can over rule the courts. We, our land, started as a monarchy, and I don't want to go back there. I like the progress we have made. As bad as it is, we have a chance, in our every four year revolution, for voices to be heard. Can, that be said of anyone else. A convention to change our construction? What agenda would we follow, to become our own worst enemy? Hate thy brother, again.

Oh dear Lord did I hate that uniform. I think my oldest daughter may have had to wear it, not sure. I never saw her wearing it, I know she didn't like it and stuck to her Khakis or her overalls. Son didn't wear it, he was out before it came into use. The youngest, well, she's a brown shoe, it's all flight suits and khakis for her.

I read your post, wholeheartedly concur with every word. Especially that last sentence. There's more of that now than 17 years ago, but it was growing even then. I blame McPeak.